The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation
The Elizabeth C. Quinlan Foundation is a private foundation based in Wayzata, Minnesota. It has operated since 1945 as a family foundation established with assets bequeathed by Elizabeth C. Quinlan, founder and chief executive of the Young Quinlan Company, a Minneapolis specialty store.
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation at a glance
In short: The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation gave $301K across 42 grants in 2025 (avg $7K), mostly in Minnesota. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990-PF.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $300,500
- +11.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 42
- -4.5% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $7,155
- +16.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $7,000
- Total assets
- $3,193,189
- -4.4% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 42, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Minnesota (97% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990-PF, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990-PF, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation
- Accepts unsolicited proposals
- No
- Invitation Only
-
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Organizations not previously funded may submit proposals by invitation only. Organizations funded within the last three years may send a proposal for consideration at the annual fall meeting. The website requests a letter describing the amount sought and relevant program or financial updates; for capital campaigns, it requests a project narrative, planned budget, and fundraising status. Applicants are also asked for recent audited financial statements of revenue and expenses and a balance sheet, a current budget forecast, a list of foundation requests and awards from the past year, a list of board members and key staff, and an annual report if available. The filing states that awards must go to organizations located in Minnesota and that grants are not made to individuals; 2025 grant dollars were reported as 97% to Minnesota recipients and 3% to Virginia recipients.
- Review Cycle
- The website states that proposals must be received by September 1. The filing lists June 30 for a letter of inquiry and September 1 for a full request.
- Deadline
- The website states that proposals must be received by September 1.
- Contact
Application contact: Lucia Lahiff Crane
Mailing address: 801 Twelve Oaks Center Drive, Suite 805B, Wayzata, MN 55391
Phone: (952) 475-1550
Email: kiverson@elizabethcquinlanfoundation.org
Website: https://quinlanfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Catholic Charities ($25K). Together the top 10 received $122K.
Grant Size Distribution
218 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 218 grants of 218 (100%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The filing states that organizations must be located in Minnesota. In 2025, 97% of grant dollars went to Minnesota recipients and 3% to Virginia recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 42 itemized grants.
Cities
Is The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 42 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $5K; repeat grants $7K. How we count
Medians: $5K first-time, $7K repeat.
- 83% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+6%). Method
- In 2025 it paid out 111% of its IRS minimum distribution (the 5% rule). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990-PF filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $205K (2020) to $301K (2025). In 2025 it made 42 grants totaling $301K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Catholic Charities Minneapolis, MN | Operating | $25,000 |
| The Basillica Landmark Minneapolis, MN | Operating | $25,000 |
| National Alliance on Mental Illness Arlington, VA | Operating | $10,000 |
| People Incorporated Eagan, MN | Program | $10,000 |
| Project for Pride in Living Inc Minneapolis, MN | Operating | $10,000 |
| St David's Center Minnetonka, MN | Program | $10,000 |
| Guthrie Theater Minneapolis, MN | Operating | $8,000 |
| Minneapolis Institute of Arts Minneapolis, MN | Operating | $8,000 |
| Minnesota Orchestral Association Minneapolis, MN | Operating | $8,000 |
| Minnesota Public Radio St. Paul, MN | Operating | $8,000 |
Ready to take the next step with The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Qualifying Distributions | Net Investment Income | Distributable Amount |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,193,189 | $232,520 | $379,218 | $300,500 | 42 | $369,288 | $225,728 | $331,805 |
| 2024 | $3,339,518 | $136,166 | $345,983 | $269,500 | 44 | $338,297 | $130,051 | $315,227 |
| 2023 | $3,552,905 | $380,697 | $364,573 | $284,500 | 50 | $353,439 | $375,931 | $279,885 |
| 2022 | $3,534,641 | $121,046 | $382,482 | $284,500 | 41 | $325,791 | $122,176 | $293,053 |
| 2021 | $3,778,177 | $157,214 | $309,747 | $229,000 | 41 | $270,171 | $154,572 | $335,731 |
| 2020 | $3,930,710 | $113,919 | $282,628 | $205,000 | 45 | — | $111,592 | $270,818 |
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation reported a distributable amount of $332K for 2025 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation does not state a mission in the provided materials. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in areas including social services, mental health, health care, housing, the arts, and public media.
Grantees describe their work in their own terms. For example, St. David’s Center says it supports child development and family well-being; Project for Pride in Living describes its work as providing affordable housing, resident services, and career-readiness programs; and People Incorporated says it supports mental health and wellness. Minnesota Public Radio describes its mission as amplifying voices to inform, include, and inspire.
Grantmaking
The foundation awarded 42 grants totaling $300,500 in 2025. Grants ranged from $1,500 to $25,000, with a median of $7,000. Among the largest awards were $25,000 each to Catholic Charities in Minneapolis and the Basilica Landmark, and $10,000 each to the National Alliance on Mental Illness, People Incorporated, Project for Pride in Living, and St. David’s Center. Other listed grants include $8,000 each to the Guthrie Theater, Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Minnesota Orchestral Association, Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, and St. Mary’s Health Clinics.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The foundation’s listed trustees are Lucia Lahiff Crane, president and treasurer; Kathleen Budge, vice president; Brian Budge, secretary; Kathleen Leslie; and Travis Barkve. Kathy Iverson is the foundation manager.
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation is led by Lucia Lahiff Crane, President, Treasurer & T since 2023 (on filings since 2020); 1 of 6 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lucia Lahiff Crane
President, Treasurer & T
President, Treasurer & Trustee → President, Treasurer & T, 2023
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian Budge
Secretary & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen L. Budge
Vice President & Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathleen Leslie
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Travis Barkve
Trustee
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathryn H. Iverson
Fndtion Mngr
Foundation Manager → Fndtion Mngr, 2023
On filings since 2020
26 hrs/week
$53K (2020) → $53K (2025)
Former officers (1)
- Former: Vincent Grundman (2020–2024) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $53K, to Kathryn H Iverson (Fndtion MNGR).
Frequently asked questions about The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation
How much does The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation give each year?
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation gave $301K across 42 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. In 2024 it gave $270K across 44 grants.
What is The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's typical grant size?
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $7,000, and its average grant was $7,155, across 42 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Organizations receiving their first grant from The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation that year got $5K on average.
Where does The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation give grants?
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation gives mostly in Minnesota: 97% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Minneapolis, MN (23 grants) and St. Paul, MN (11 grants).
Does The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 79% of The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (33 of 42) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Recurring purposes include "Program" (8 grants).
Who are The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's largest grantees?
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Catholic Charities ($25,000), The Basillica Landmark ($25,000) and National Alliance on Mental Illness ($10,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation?
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation reported $3.2M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990-PF. It paid out $369K in qualifying distributions that year, against a required minimum of $332K (roughly 5% of its investment assets).
What does The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation fund?
The foundation does not state a mission in the provided materials. Its 2025 grants show support for organizations in areas including social services, mental health, health care, housing, the arts, and public media. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation?
The foundation does not accept unsolicited requests. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's EIN?
The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 41-0706125. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Does The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation accept unsolicited proposals?
No, according to Grantable's research on the foundation's published guidelines. See how to apply ↑
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS January 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 10, 2023)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS May 15, 2024)
- Updated Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS May 13, 2025)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 4, 2022)
- Added Form 990-PF for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS May 12, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 17, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/the-elizabeth-c-quinlan-foundation-morg_bff7c1e81f9d4b4d976c06963f16f654
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_410706125_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/the-elizabeth-c-quinlan-foundation-morg_bff7c1e81f9d4b4d976c06963f16f654},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-17. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from The Elizabeth C Quinlan Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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